We had a wonderful Christmas here in Virginia! We were celebrating with the families of the three boys who live nearby (as well as some in-laws of theirs) in the days leading up to December 25, and then sons #3 and #4 and their families joined us for a party on Christmas afternoon, after Santa's gifts had been opened at their own homes and everyone had been to Mass. I got to use my new professional-style stainless steel chafing dishes to serve up roasted pork, hash brown casserole, green bean casserole, and Buffalo chicken dip. We had lots of other snacks and desserts to enjoy as well, and the kids opened Christmas crackers (which was always part of our Christmas Eve tradition when our boys were growing up). Corny jokes were told, paper crowns were worn, really cheap prizes were fought over and broken, and all was right with the world! I was living in the moment, mostly, so I didn't get many pictures on the Lord's birthday. It was a peaceful and relaxing day. (Son #4's gang even came in their flannel Christmas jammies! It doesn't get more relaxing than that.)
It was so wonderful having this WI family with us for just over a week. Each of the brothers who live here in VA wanted to host them at their homes while they were here, so there were lots of little get-togethers throughout the week--on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and other days. It was a full and busy visit for them (and there was a little head cold/fever kind of a bug running through their family that put a bit of a wrench in the machinery here and there, but fortunately didn't ruin their week entirely). They left to make the 1,000-mile trek back home yesterday morning, and I miss them so much already.
But of course...this quote from my favorite philosopher, Pooh Bear, is absolutely on the money.
